Saint-Pierre Le Tampon Saint-Louis Saint-André Le Port Saint-Paul REUNION ISLAND ✓ A more dynamic and sustainable blue economy with the OCEAN METISS project, aimed at the sustainable use of resources, and the creation of the “Blue Institute” to coordinate and design public policies in blue economy; ✓ Energy transition with the SOLARPLEXUS project to provide electricity, water and communication services to remote sites; the MICRO-MAFATE NETWORK project, to pilot an electric micro-grid to achieve self-sufficiency; and the REACT project, on the decarbonisation of local energy systems; ✓ The promotion of research and innovation through the assessment of the Smart Specialisation Strategy; and the project VALOBIO, to transform discarded fish co-products into liquid organic fertilizer; ✓ Enhanced competitiveness and entrepreneurship by creating the “Financière Région Réunion” fund to support SMEs through a loan and a private equity instrument; ✓ A stronger circular economy, through an action plan with measures to achieve the “zero waste” objective, and by implementing 22 circular economy projects – ranging from design and life duration of products to recycling; plus the REPLACE project, aimed at implementing policies for circular economy. By encouraging the outermost regions to capitalise on their unique assets, the strategy seeks to support these regions in creating new opportunities, boosting innovation and jobs in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, climate change and circular economy, and deepening cooperation with neighbour countries. Two years on, the main developments in Reunion Island are: WHAT DOES THE STRATEGY BRING TO REUNION ISLAND? Açores Mayotte Martinique Guadeloupe Guyane Canarias Saint-Martin La Réunion Madeira THE OUTERMOST REGIONS ● Situated in the Indian Ocean, 9000 km away from Paris, the Reunion Island has a population of 850 000 inhabitants. ● The geostrategic position of Reunion Island and its rich biodiversity offer a strong potential. Tourism is an important part of Reunion Island’s economy. ● Tropical bio economy is one of the island’s assets, as well as ecotourism and digital knowledge for the reduction of energy consumption. Fisheries and agriculture are still key to the economy, especially sugar cane. ● The island is affected by a particularly high youth unemployment rate. Low levels of qualification and early school leaving remain a challenge. The economy remains fragile due to lack of basic infrastructures, and high transport costs. 850 000 inhabitants 2 512 km 2